MUSKEGON, MI – Lorenzo Valentino Martinez has been found competent to stand trial on a charge of manslaughter for allegedly grabbing the steering wheel of a Dodge Durango his mother was driving April 5, 2013, causing a head-on collision with a semitrailer that killed her.

Lorenzo MartinezMuskegon County Jail

Muskegon County 60th District Judge Michael J. Nolan made that ruling after a court hearing Wednesday, March 19. It was based on a psychologist’s report.

The judge’s finding only involves Martinez’ current ability to understand court proceedings and to assist in his own defense. It is not a judgment about his mental state at the time of the crash.

Based on earlier reports by mental-health professionals, Nolan had ruled Martinez incompetent to stand trial in June, September and December 2013.

Martinez, 21, is charged with manslaughter with a motor vehicle in connection with the crash in Moorland Township that killed his mother, Alicia Jean Keech, 45, of Pierson, Mich. He was hospitalized in Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital for most of the time since he was charged April 8, 2013.

Authorities said Martinez was a front-seat passenger in the Durango driven by his mother, who likely died instantly in the fiery collision.

Keech was heading west in the 9600 block of Apple between Sullivan and Moorland roads around 12:15 p.m. when she suddenly crossed the center line and struck an eastbound tractor-trailer, police said.

Authorities said two backseat passengers in the Durango told them Martinez had grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it so the vehicle crossed the center line in front of the semitrailer. All three passengers were hospitalized.

Martinez had been in the psychiatric unit of Mercy Health Partners’ Hackley campus twice in the three months before the crash after allegedly exhibiting bizarre behavior and reporting delusions, according to court records and family members.

The second time, after committing himself voluntarily March 19, 2013, the hospital discharged him March 25 to the care of his mother and Montcalm County Community Mental Health, according to Muskegon County Probate Court records. The crash happened 11 days later.

John
S. Hausman covers courts, prisons, the environment and local government for
MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at jhausman@mlive.com and follow
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